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Taoufik Makhloufi will be doubling in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters in Moscow for the 2013 World Outdoor Championships. Makhloufi suggested that he would medal in the 1,500 meter in the Olympics in June. That will be much more difficult this year, as Makhloufi will have the entire world of elite middle distance runners watching his every move. One does not win an Olympic gold medal and go unnoticed, especially in the 1,500 meters!

A. BEKELE OUT UNTIL 2016

MONACO (MON): In the latest IAAF list of sanctioned athletes also European 2010 5000 m gold medalist is appearing. Turkish Alemitu Bekele is banned for 4 years for use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method based on Athlete Biological Passport results. She is out of eligibility until February 14, 2016 but her results are canceled from August 17, 2009 that means including the European title at 5000 m from Barcelona 2010. Gold should go so to her team-mate Elvan Abeylegesse and other medals to Portugal runners Sara Moreira and Jessica Augusto. Also her 5th place from World Indoors 2010 in Doha is canceled, also her 2nd place at IAAF Continental Cup 2010 in the 3000 m. That means Europe will lose valuable points but still would win very close the Cup.

MAKHLOUFI PLANS A DOUBLE

DUBAI (UAE): Gulf News informs that olympic 1500 m winner Taoufik Makhloufi from Algeria wants to double at World Championships in Moscow at 800 m and 1500 m. Another aim is to improve his bests to level of sub 1:43 and sub 3:30 in both events. His current bests are 1:43.71 and 3:30.80.

NEW POLE VAULT EVENT

PARDUBICE (CZE): New event starts this winter in Czech Republic. Golden Pole Vault indoor meet in Pardubice on February 5. Meet director is former top vaulter Zdenek Lubensky and he secured a top field mainly for men competition. Two olympic medalists Bjorn Otto with Raphael Holzdeppe will jump with 2008 Olympic winner Steven Hooker of Australia. In the CEZ Arena in Pardubice (mainly used for ice-hockey) will also see Jirina Svobodova, the European Champion from Helsinki as the headliner in the women competition. Both competitions will be held simultaneously. Also in the men competition Briton Steven Lewis, Greek record holder Kostadinos Filippidis, Ukrainian Maksim Mazuryk and home top ones Jan Kudlicka with Michal Balner. In the women competition Germans Martina Strutz with Kristina Gadschiew, Greek Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou and Russian Anastasiya Savchenko. Total reported budget is huge 500 000 USD for the event and expected capacity is 5500 spectators.

OTHER NEWS

PARIS (FRA): European 2010 Champion Myriam Soumare of France aims to run well at European Indoors in Goteborg. At last European indoors in 2011 in Paris she ended 7th in the 60 m final, her best is 7.18 from the semifinals of the same event. Soumare hopes to improve this time and is scheduled to run 60 m in Karlsruhe on February 2, then 200 m in Eaubonne at women meeting on February 7 and 60/200 doubles in Val de Reuil meet and French nationals, informs L´Équipe.

ZURICH (SUI): Some of the top Swiss athletes will not compete during the indoor season. For example pole vaulter Nicole Buchler (elbow injury) and sprinters Alex Wilson (school duties) with Amaru Schenkel. The top name in preparation for the European indoor championships is Irene Pusterla for long jump.

DUBLIN (IRL): Irish media are informing that despite the fact that the Irish women's squad was the fastest at the recent European Cross Country Championships, they aren't likely to head to Bydgoszcz, Poland to compete in the World Championships. This news was reported by the Irish Examiner. "I'm supportive of sending a team but I'm not seeing that collectively at the moment from the athletes," said Athletics Ireland High Performance Director Kevin Ankrom. "If we are to send a team, I would like to send the best team but the athletes have made individual plans for the year. From a media point of view I know it's disappointing but from planet me I'm supportive towards their individual goals." The individual winner of the European Championships, Fionnuala Britton, said that she would like to lead the team if one were fielded.

ARNSTADT (GER): The 37th edition of the special high jump meet of Arnstadt is expecting again this year on February 2 high quality results. So far confirmed headliners are olympic winner 2008 Tia Hellebaut with European Champion Ruth Beitia and Russian Irina Gordeyeva for the women competition. For the men competition so far confirmed world champion Jesse Wiliams and top Russians Aleksandr Shustov with Aleksey Dmitrik. The organisers are also negotiating with olympic winner Ivan Ukhov (he jumps before at Moravia High Jump Tour in Hustopece and Trinec). From German jumpers confirmed Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch in women competition and Matthias Haverney with Falk Wendrich in men event.

GLASGOW (GER): Germany named its team for the Glasgow Match on January 26. Women side looks stronger with 2010 European champion Verena Sailer in the 60 m, in shape Inna Weit at 200 m, Euro finalist Corinna Harrer in the 1500 m, European 2010 medalist Lisa Ryzih in the pole vault. Valuable points could be expected also from Cindy Roleder in the 60 m hurdles and talented world junior long jump medalist Lena Malkus. In the men team solid sprinters Christian Blum for 60 m and Alexander Kosenkow at 200 m. Robin Schembera is entered for the unusual 600 m.

AMSTERDAM (NED): Dutch national javelin throw record holder Bregje Crolla (26) has ended her career. Crolla had aimed for the London Olympic Games but missed out on qualifying due to a shoulder injury. She told losseveter.nl she will now focus on her job as a teacher. She achieved 59.27 in 2010.

AMSTERDAM (NED): Jan Willem Landré has been named the new director of the Dutch Athletics Federation KNAU and he will start in his new position on April 1st. Rien Van Haperen has been leading the Dutch Athletics body but gave up his position on October 1st to become the director of the organizing committee of the 2016 European championships in Amsterdam.

BRUSSELS (BEL): Popular Belgian high jumper Tia Hellebaut, who is currently training in South Africa, told Belgian media she is feeling very well and has been spending a lot of time training abroad in warm weather. The mother of two confirmed she will compete at the European indoor championships in Goteborg and aims at loosing another 3 to 4 kilos before being in top shape. She also set her goal for the IAAF World championships in Moscow and hopes to break her post-pregnancy personal best of 197 this summer.

MOSCOW (RUS): Spikes website informs that World and Olympic 800 m champion Mariya Savinova has a hidden talent for ballroom dancing. She talked exclusively to Spikes about her love of the waltz and why she fancies her chances on Russia's version of Dancing with the Stars.